A red front-facing dragon ascends from ocean waves, surrounded by scrolling clouds appearing like tongues of flame. Scrolling clouds are also shown emanating from the body of a dragon and from the pearl he chases. Clouds are among the earliest and continuously invoked auspicious symbols in Chinese art. The mystical 'cloud force' was believed to be a vehicle of the immortals. The benevolent rain-bearing dragon represents the authority and power of the imperial throne; the clouds and the waves symbolise two basic elements of the universe.